Did you see Michael J Fox on Good Morning America today?

[Rabrrrrrr]

His Parkinson's has finally hit the shaky stage - at least, I've never noticed it before (but I also haven't seen him in maybe close to two years).

Not Katherine Hepburn shaky, but unlike her, his whole body was going - no sitting still at all; legs and arms and hands all constantly in motion. Looked really uncomfortable.

Too bad - he's such a nice guy, and i've always liked his acting and what he's done and have been a big fan.

So sad to see people hit by such nasty diseases, and especially today to know that a major anti-life vote has taken place.

[Critters2]

1. Katherine Hepburn didn't have Parkinson's

She had Essential Tremor. Parkinson's tremors do happen all the time. ET tremors only happen when the muscle is in use, not when at rest. Thus, Parkinson's sufferers have tremors in their sleep, for example. ET patients don't. My doc thought I had Parkinson's but the neurologist dx'd it as Essential Tremor. When I said I'd never heard of it, he said it was what Katherine Hepburn had. Also said it doesn't shorten life, as Parkinson's does. Hence, Hepburn lived a good, long life.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Well, I learned something! Thanks!

I didn't know there was such a thing as Essential Tremor.

I'd often wondered why, if parkinson's is supposedly such a deadly disease, Hepburn lived so long - I just figured she was a fluke. But now i know!

Thanks!

Is the cause for each one similar at all? Is there a common root? Or are they only by happenstance kind of similar in outward effect?

[MoseyWalker]

9. I don't think so, but

I also don't think anyone really knows. ET can be controlled to a large extent with beta blockers. I know. Works for me. I couldn't lift a glass of water to my mouth without'em, but with'em, I can function just fine. for now at least.

[Critters2]

10. Essential tremor is genetic

They've even identified the genes on the genome that cause it. You have to inherit it from both sides for it to show up, according to my neurologist.

My tremors aren't too bad yet. My biggest problem is trying to do small work with my right hand. I'm a pastor and simply can't hold those tiny little communion cups anymore. In worship it's not a problem, because I use the chalice which is large enough. But when I take communion to the homebound or hospitalized, I don't even try to hold the cups anymore. I've actually spilled wine a couple of times. Now I just elevate the tray at that point in the liturgy, and let people take the cup from the tray themselves. Writing is a problem, too. I do nearly everything on the 'puter now.

I have low blood pressure, so can't take beta blockers. My neurologist is considering something they use for epilepsy. Phenobarbitol, maybe? Not sure.

My grandfather had Parkinson's, which is why my doc sent me to a neurologist the minute I mentioned a tremor. I don't think they're sure what causes Parkinson's. They know the mechanism that causes the tremors and rigidity, but some seems genetic and others aren't.

[MoseyWalker]

13. I wish you the best

on dealing with this.

I went through many years not knowing what the hell was going on, and it was a miracle when I was able to take something that didn't cause a bunch of side effects but let me function. My genetics also tends to provide high blood pressure, so it worked out for me. I truly hope and pray you find your answers also.

I started on a very low dose of meds (and they have now added another one, and wanted to add another one, but I said no) but have had to gradually increase the doses until I'm at the high end of the spectrum. When these stop working, I don't know what I'll do, because without them I can't move without jerky movements everywhere, but with them, no one even notices. I haven't even had to tell anyone that it exists, other than the docs, because they have worked so well.

I'm currently one fine dude! (and humble) I fear in a few years, I won't be able to raise a glass of water to my mouth again. It is scary, because I don't even know if they know what is causing it. They just know that for a number of years, a cheap and painless medication has controlled it.

[barb162]

18. did a specialist finally diagnose your tremors?

May I ask what kind of specialist?

[SlavesandBulldozers]

2. i really admire Michael J

he's been incredibly brave. i cant imagine the rage and hurt people who suffer from these awful diseases feel to know that those sworn to protect them are hurting them.

[Skittles]

24. I just adore him

a great actor and a wonderful human being

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. He's been shaking for awhile.

The media's done a fairly good job of hiding it.

Not sure how I feel about that.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

5. There's an implant that will stop that now...

It blocks the random signals from the hypothalamis(sp?) and stops the shaking. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but Skip was tell me about it.
Duckie

[Suich]

6. I just watched a re-broadcast on the local news.

When I saw him about a year ago on TV, he was shaking a lot. He excused himself and said he had to go take his pill/medicine. He came back about 5 minutes later and wasn't nearly as shaky. I don't know if he can still control any of it with meds, but I certainly admire his courage in going public. I don't think any of those idiots understand that all of the frozen embryos cannot possibly become "snowflake babies." Why they can't be used for research instead of being destroyed is beyond me.

:grr:

[KamaAina]

7. Lucky for him he's Canadian

there might actually be hope for him -- up there, anyway.

Every time I think I can't possibly hate Bush** more than I already do, something like this happens.

[cmkramer]

17. He became an American citizen in 2000

He probably has dual citizenship though.

[sendero]

8. He's appeared..

.... on several episodes of Boston Legal a few months ago.

Yeah, he looks pretty bad. It's really sad, he's always seemed like a genuinely good person.

[L A Woman]

11. Do you think Chimp just signed Michael J. Fox's death warrant?

I'm not trying to be dramatic - I really don't know what the prognosis for Parkinsons is - but I don't think it really matters to that stupid fucktard in the White House. He would choose a test tube of cells over the life of a 40-year-old man, anyway.

God, I hate him.

[bluethruandthru]

16. Whether or not he signed a death warrant...

he's already put this research years behind where it could have been.

[Gormy Cuss]

12. I saw an interview with him about a year ago

where he said his kids call him 'shaky Dad.' Apparently when he was doing his most recent series (Spin City) he kept his shakier hand in his pocket when on screen but now that ruse doesn't work because it's no longer just his hand.

It's sad when anyone gets Parkinson's at such a young age. Our fellow DUer Danca is only in his late 30s and it flattens him to wheelchair use some days.

[tuvor]

14. Been thinking about him and DanCa a lot today.

When't the next possible chance for stem-cell research in the USA?

[Redstone]

15. Yes, indeed. Hard to see people who could be helped, but wont't.

Redstone

[barb162]

19. Yes, he's a nice guy and he seemed a bit shakier than the

last time I saw him.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

20. I knew a violinist who suffered from Parkinson's.

He was a wonderful player in his day. He was selling his violin collection a few years ago; and I went to visit him to see what he had. It was difficult for me to keep from crying; because this man who was once such a fine violinist was now so horribly crippled by the disease. He had no control over his body's movements, and it was a struggle for him to walk from one room to the next. He died a little over a year ago.

God damn Bush and his arrogant lack of compassion! I wouldn't wish the disease permanently on anyone; but I do wish he could suffer from it for just one week, just so he'd know what he vetoed.

[Rabrrrrrr]

21. I also wonder if Fuckstick vetoed it just to spite Nancy Reagan

I wouldn't put it past the asshole to fuck a few million people just so he could put the screw to one person he doesn't like.

he's such a fucking 8 year old.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

23. Most 8 year olds have more on the ball...

They can all read better, for one thing.

[peekaloo]

22. He'll be back on 'Boston Legal' this year where I've noticed they tend

to keep him stationary so his tremors aren't that noticeable.

When he 'Scrubs' a couple of years ago they played him up with an obsessive-compulsive disorder but you couldn't miss the awkward way he was walking. :-(